Air ticket refundability

I've been looking at plane tickets a lot lately and refundability is all over the map. In some cases, when you click on a fare on a website you're directed to a new menu where there are several option packages. Some include upgrades to premium economy or better seats, some include the ability to get a refund. You should assume that when you see an airline's lowest fares, they include almost nothing except a seat on a plane. It's on you to make sure you get the type of ticket you want, and sadly it may involve some phone calls. You might do some web research on fare classes (such as Y, K, etc.) which indicate refund status so you can converse with a ticket agent.

Call them albeit it may take forever to get a live person depending on when.
There is usually a more expensive refundable option .

The last couple of times I checked flights on American, once I selected my flights at whatever price, I was prompted with an option to make the flights fully refundable for an additional $200. I didn’t read any fine print since I’m not ready to purchase yet, but you might give American a try.

You may already know this Matt, but even if you phone British Airways to clarify their refund policy, don’t book your flights with them over the phone. They’ll add a $25 phone booking fee to your ticket, which reserving online avoids.

I don't know if United flies your route, but their current policy is: "You can change Basic Economy tickets without change fees if the ticket is issued by April 30, 2021, and all other international travel without change fees if the ticket is issued by July 31, 2021. Basic Economy tickets issued on or after May 1, 2021, are nonrefundable and non-changeable, except in connection with same-day standby." This isn't a refund, clearly, but being able to change to another flight at another time is something...

What website are you trying to book with? The airline's own website will ask if you want refundable tickets.

On BA's website it asks if you want the lowest price or a flexible ticket. A flexible ticket is a refundable ticket.

Air France states that they will issue a voucher. Delta says the same, but they offered a more costly ticket that could be refunded, if I remember. I bought tickets two months ago. I was refunded in 2020, but obviously airlines don't want to go through that again.

France has not announced a date for opening to American tourists in a few weeks. They are planning to open to Europeans who are vaccinated if numbers continue to fall, but the exact date for Americans has not been announced. Hopefully they will announce it soon. The “opening “ you’ve been reading about has been sloppy journalism failing to specify who it concerns.

Check the airline site you want to fly with. Its changed an awful - I used to always book the cheapest tickets and knew that I'd never get my money back if cancelling and if changing dates is often cheaper just to buy new tickets.

Not any longer - had fligths within NZ with Air NZ booked for next week. Need to be cancelled because the house we were viewing for relatives is no longer of interest - no problem at all - pushed the button - the cancellation and creation of a credit was instant.

I booked thru Delta for a similar trip. Fortunately I had enough miles. I don't know if it's always the case, but at least for me, the miles option comes up with main cabin options (no economy plus) Main cabin tickets are refundable. Delta and AirFrance are partners. Delta only is refunding for main cabin and up.

I've been booking a lot of flights lately, international and domestic. I don't know if it's just an oddity, but there were flights in which the main cabin rate was cheaper than the economy plus ticket. It seemed to be for early morning or less desirable itineraries, but hey, they're refundable.

Indeed, you simply need to look at what conditions the airline that you want to fly is offering.

I remember seeing the language for Delta when I booked my flights.

On Air France, check the fine print. I cancelled my flight with them (it was for an inter-Europe flight, not across the Atlantic) and they issued me a travel credit that was good for 1 year. However the fine print also stated that if it wasn't used by the expiration date I could contact Air France within 3 months after that expiration date and I could get a refund. I didn't use my credit and reached out to them via their website, provided the details of my credit along with a screenshot of the original credit email from them, and within a week they issued me a refund to my credit card. Very happy with them!